Where the End of the Road Leads to the Beginning

December 7, 2015

Growing up with a dad and mentor that had a severe case of fishing fever was pretty special, but only in recent years has it really set in just how truly blessed I’ve been to fish Louisiana for all of these years. It should have dawned on me much earlier considering the state license plate reads Sportsman’s Paradise.The saltwater fishery that Louisiana has to o... Read More

Take a Stroll for Panhandle Kings

December 2, 2015

For most anglers it all starts at the local pier. Accessible, available and affordable, Florida’s fishing piers are the breeding grounds for future fishermen as well as the favored go-to spot for anglers in the know who just can’t get enough.Stretching 40 miles across the emerald green waters of the Panhandle and protecting the mainland from storm damage, the b... Read More

A Peek at the Future of Tournament Fishing

November 30, 2015

With technology advancing at a rapid pace, the face of saltwater fishing will change in a big way. The next generation of recreational sportfishing vessels will not look anything like what you are accustomed to seeing today, nor will the game we all enjoy so much be played the same. With fish populations plummeting worldwide due to unprecedented demand for wild-caught seaf... Read More

The Pros & Cons of Buying Pre-Rigged Lure Packs

November 23, 2015

Walk into any tackle shop and you’ll see that big game skirted trolling lures are now available in a bewildering range of shapes, designs and materials. From metal heads to resin heads, jets, cups, slants, bullets and plungers, the selection process can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a number of leading lure manufacturers offer pre-assembled trolling lure packs designed f... Read More

Head West for a Bottom Fishing Bonanza Beyond Imagination

November 19, 2015

When it comes to the world’s top angling destinations, the Florida Keys rank high on the list of entertaining options. Driving down the nostalgic Overseas Highway will leave you in awe as you find it difficult to focus on the road and not the surrounding waters. When you finally arrive at Mile Marker O in Key West you know you’ve made it to paradise, but now it’s tim... Read More

Go Time for Gulf Coast Broadbills

November 16, 2015

If you’re fortunate to have tried your luck daytime swordfishing, then you know exactly what it is about this crazy fishery that drives us to deplete our bank accounts and spend long hours crossing vast expanses of open water. If you’ve yet to experience the thrill of battling a beastly broadbill under the blistering summer sun, then you don’t know what you are missi... Read More

Battle Gear for Gargantuan Grouper

November 15, 2015

Across inshore and near-shore fisheries statewide, goliath grouper are some of the largest and most powerful predators anglers will ever encounter. Known to engulf hooked cobia, permit, sharks, grouper, amberjack and more in a single bite, goliath grouper are so large they have little to no predators and as a result are incredibly inquisitive and fearless by nature. This m... Read More

Friends, Family Come Together for Big Kings

November 11, 2015

The southwest coast of Florida is home to numerous events for competitive anglers looking to test their skills, but in its 5th year the Gulf Coast Open’s new format puts it on the map as a premier kingfish tournament along the highly competitive SKA trail. In years past the Gulf Coast Open awarded anglers for an array of species ranging from tuna, amberjack, seatrout, re... Read More

Tackle Amberjack Using a Topwater Approach

November 9, 2015

In his initial experiments, Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known primarily for his work in classical conditioning, rang the dinner bell and watched his dogs come running. After a few repetitions, the dogs associated the sound of the ringing bell with food. The same holds true with hard-fighting Gulf amberjack. Set up over broken bottom in 80 feet of water, throw a han... Read More

Don’t Be Caught Dead Without These

November 8, 2015

High speed trolling in hopes of tempting an apex predator is a science, and don’t think otherwise. The artful tactic of presenting an appealing spread of lures at blistering speeds requires serious commitment, a determined mindset to fool one of the ocean’s most clever adversaries, and a quad of big game outfits capable of withstanding tremendous force. While universal... Read More